Darrell Issa

One of the things I am happy about from this November's results is Darrell Issa's impending chairmanship of the House Government Oversight Committee. Listen to him on MSNBC, and note the almost palpable fear they have over what his next move will be.



I think that making Fannie, Freddie and Countrywide targets has a nice bipartisan ring that also looks into some of the causes of the current economic recession. I also like some of the other areas of emphasis like how the whole "jobs created or saved" are scored. He is also calling for giving Agency Inspector Generals subpoena authority (note how many times in the linked articles the IGs are finding executive agency wrongdoing.) He mentioned food safety a couple times, but that is one issue where I don't know where he is going. I also really like investigating nonsensical government regulations that are preventing businesses from hiring.

Joe the Plumber Quick Update

I guess the wheels of justice turn slowly, but turn they do. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Director Helen Jones-Kelley, who was being held responsible for the inquiry into "Joe the Plumber's" records has resigned. Two other officials involved in the illegal inquiry into Joseph Wurzelbacher's records that were suspended will not be returning to their jobs. An interesting side note; the governor's investigation alleged that Helen Jones-Kelley had conducted improper fund raising for Obama as well.

Full story here.

I have spent a lot of time on this story because it goes to the heart of free speech and government tyranny. If ordinary citizens who speak out, especially if their views are unpopular, can be subjected to harassment and warantless investigation by the government bureaucrats, then we might as well not have the first amendment. Hopefully, this ending will send a message to government employees everywhere. As a government employee myself, I believe that I live to a higher standard than was on display in this case. Actions by vengeful bureaucrats tarnish good work by so many others.